FARMERS’ UNION

Waikato Independent, Volume XXVII, Issue 2813, 23 July 1927, Page 5

FARMERS’ UNION

THE WOMEN’S DIVISION.

INTERESTING POULTRY LECTURE

Although, the local branch of the Women’s Division, of the Farmers’ Union was only inaugurated a few weeks ago, it has already proved itself a live institution and promises to be a power for good in the community and especially among the wives of district farmers.

Yesterday afternoon the branch met at the Oddfellows’ Hall when there was an attendance of. over fifty members and friends to hear Mr E. C. Jarrett, Government Instructor, give a lecture on “ Poultry-keeping. ” The- lecturer gave a general treatise of his subject, which was most interesting and of great value to all present, for the reason that the lecturer confined his address to some extent to poultry-keeping gs a, side-line on the farm, or for the ordinary householder, rather than to poultry farming on an extensive scale. . Mr Jarrett dealt fully with the possibilities of the poultry industry and its value to the Dominion if properly organised. In support of this he mentioned that in Ireland, in eight to ten years, the value of eggs exported to Great Britain had increased from £f,500,000 to £18,500,000. To those people in the Dominion that intended taking up poultry as a sine-line he advised that their ocks not exceed 200. This number would be found fully enough to have to grow feed for, and it was in this direction that a great portion of the profits of poultry-keeping lay.

Mr Jarrett went on to deal interestingly with the basic points of successful poultry-keeping. In breeding he stressed the need for good constitution, and how to breed and feed for egg-pro-duction. The lecturer illustrated his various points by a number of excellent photographs and drawings of fowls, showing the different types and liow to note birds most suited to breeding or egg-production. Culling of all duffer birds was strongly emphasised by Mr Jarrett, who took as a parallel the cow, and , the wonderful progress made in production by systematic culling. Just the same practice could be applied to poultry-keeping and he assured those present that the actual results would be no less than that of dairying. This could be proved, said the lecturer, by egg-laying competitions. By proper attention to breeding and judicious culling the standard of production was 100 eggs per fowl per year ahead of what it was 25 years ago. Mr Jarrett urged poultry-keepers in the district to get together and organise. They might go so far as to form a local association, affiliated to the N.Z. Poultry-keepers ’ Association. They would find a local association of great assistance in marketing their eggs. By combining they would save a great deal in freights to Auckland. After a number of questions had been answered by Mr Jarrett in detail, on the motion of the president, Mrs R. Feisst, the lecturer was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks, which was carried by acclamation.

A detailed report of the lecture will appear in Tuesday’s issue.